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Tamarind Juice will definitely quench your thirst on a hot summer day. It is a drink that is refreshing with a tropical twist then tamarind certainly fits the bill.
Tamarind Juice is full of multivitamins, minerals, COX-inhibitor compounds, and many health benefits. This healthy drink improves immunity, digestion, eye, heart, liver, and nerve health.
History of Tamarind
In case you are not familiar with what tamarind is then let me explain. Tamarind is a long pod with a hard brown shell. This fruit is indigenous to tropical Africa, but has been cultivated for so long on the Indian subcontinent that it is sometimes reported to be indigenous there. It grows wild in Africa in locales as diverse as Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Somalia, Tanzania and Malawi.
What is Tamarind Used For?
The pulp is used for culinary and medicinal purposes and plays a crucial role in Indian cuisines. Ironically India is one of the biggest manufacturers of tamarind and with how prevalent the use of the fruit is, it’s hard not to believe why.
What is The Taste Of Tamarind?
Tamarind has an instinctive taste, it’s almost like a juicy acidic sourness with a slight tangy sweetness. Most people tend to sweeten tamarind which makes it more tolerant to use.
Do not be deterred by the description of the taste because tamarind juice is extremely tasty. If you like lemon or lime juice then tamarind juice will win you over.
What’s A Good Tamarind Substitute?
Tamarind’s flavor profile is a mixture of sweet and sour, with the balance leaning towards the sour. The best way to replicate this is with a sour element such as lemon or lime juice, mixed with sugar. Lemon and lime juice are relatively easy to find and their flavors pair well with most of the flavors in dishes that require tamarind.
What is Tamarind Juice Made Of?
It’s made of fresh, ripe tamarind pods are that are shelled and deveined and then simmered in water to soften and to extract the pulp. The resulting pulp is strained, diluted with additional water, and sweetened with simple syrup to taste. It’s enjoyed chilled or served over ice as a refreshment.
Exceptional Health Benefits of Tamarind Juice
Here are 5 major exceptional benefits of Tamarind Juice;
- Improves digestion: it helps to cure indigestion, constipation, etc. It improves your digestive system and effectively treats irregular bowel movements.
- Weight loss: Tamarind is full of fiber & zero fat which makes it best for weight loss. Fiber-rich fruits keep your tummy full for longer and prevent you from overeating. Drinking tamarind drink every day can help you lose weight. Tamarind has antioxidant properties plus polyphenols that help to lose weight quickly.
- Detoxifies liver: It lessens the liver’s toxicity so you can have a healthy life.
- Releases heatstroke: it is perfect for releasing the effects of sunstroke. Try out a chilled glass of Jamaican tamarind juice this summer to beat the heat.
- Treats sore throats: if you want to treat sore throats, gargle with this drink.
What is the Best Time to Drink Tamarind Juice?
Your homemade tamarind juice is ready to drink anytime, but only after seeing a doctor during the summer and monsoon seasons.
Can I Drink Tamarind Juice Everyday?
They keep you full for longer and prevent you from overeating or bingeing on unhealthy snacks. Drinking tamarind juice everyday can help you shed those extra kilos.
Does Tamarind Juice Help Lose Weight?
Rich in fiber and low in fat content, tamarind makes an excellent weight-loss-friendly food item. It is loaded with flavonoids and polyphenols that can boost your metabolism and aid in weight loss.
How to Make Tamarind Juice From Scratch?
To make tamarind juice from scratch you will need fresh tamarind pods or you can use a block of tamarind. To Speed up the process of separating the pulp from the seeds.
You can pulse the pulp with water on very low speed in a blender. This is a much quicker method then leaving the pulp to soak overnight in warm water. If your blender isn’t sturdy enough to breakdown the seeds then leave the pods to soak for several hours or overnight.
How Do You Preserve Tamarind Juice?
Juice it with your fingers to remove as much ‘juice’ as possible, strain and use. Discard pulp. Tear apart a handful chunk of tamarind off the block and place in a glass container with a lid. Cover with enough water to immerse it, and refrigerate.
Notes and Tips to Make Tamarind Juice
- Store the juice in a glass pitcher in the refrigerator, ready to drink
- Consume the juice within 5 days of preparation.
- If you don’t have a high speed blender then soak your pods for sever hours or overnight so they separate from the seeds.
- Use 3 blocks of tamarind or 1 large jar of tamarind paste (additive free, no other ingredients) if you cannot source fresh pods.
- The taste. Tamarind is quite tart in taste, if you want a sweeter taste then add more sweetener. If you like a sour drink then use less sweetener or none at all
- Don’t forget to add some ice cubes to your drink.
- For a different taste, why not use ginger, lime, cloves, nutmeg or cinnamon.
Other Delicious Drinks To Try
Tamarind Juice
Ingredients
- fresh tamarind fruit
- 1 - 2 lt water
- sugar to taste
Instructions
- Macerate the seeds in the water for about ten minutes.
- Knead with your own hand to extract the juice then filter, sweeten and perfume eventually.
- Serve well fresh.
